Crossword Genius

End the heartless destruction of minaret (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terminate

'end' is the definition.
('terminate' can be a synonym of 'end')

'the heartless destruction of minaret' is the wordplay.
'heartless' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'destruction of' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the' with its middle removed is 'te'.
'minaret' anagrammed gives 'rminate'.
'te'+'rminate'='TERMINATE'

(Other definitions for terminate that I've seen before include "Kill off" , "Put an end to, discontinue" , "Stop" , "Cut short" , "Conclude" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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